Colin Montgomerie today staked his Ryder Cup reputation on the untested Edoardo Molinari, who won the final event of the qualification process for the European team to secure a place at Celtic Manor. "In my 25 years on tour I don't think I have ever seen a finish of that quality under such pressure by anyone, anywhere," Europe's captain said of the Italian's effort in making birdies at the final three holes at Gleneagles to win the Johnnie Walker Championship. "Incredible."

For Montgomerie's sake Molinari had better come up with another incredible performance in south Wales in October because his inclusion, along with that of Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald, came at the expense of Paul Casey, the world No9, and Justin Rose, twice a winner on the PGA Tour this year.

The two Englishmen, both of whom chose to remain in the US this weekend, where they were competing in the Barclays Championship in New Jersey, received the bad news in phone calls from Montgomerie, although Casey was on the course at the time and received a text. "It's a very brave decision, it's a very strong decision – and it's one I hope will regain the Ryder Cup," the Europe captain said. "There is nothing personal here. This is for the sake of the team. I've gone for the three that I think give us the best chance to win and I couldn't possibly leave out Edoardo Molinari after what he did today."

Montgomerie denied the decision to omit Casey and Rose had anything to do with the fact that they have spent the vast majority of the season playing on the PGA Tour in the US, although it is widely believed that it did. There was a strong feeling among the Scot's three vice-captains Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn – to whom he later added a fourth, Sergio García – that "loyalty" towards the European Tour should be a factor in team selection, albeit not the decisive one.

By that measure Harrington, who also played in the US this week, could similarly be judged to have fallen short but, as Montgomerie repeated again and again during his announcement, the Irishman has the stature that comes with winning three major championships.

As for Molinari, he had the evidence of a stunning season which has seen him climb to 21st in the world rankings, the fact that his younger brother, Francesco, was already in the team and, most of all, he had today's victory. "I think I had to win to get into the team because I was up against so many strong players," the Italian said. "For two brothers to be playing in the Ryder Cup – at that level of sport – is an amazing achievement."